At a glance
| At a glance | Vaavu |
|---|---|
| Where | Just south of South Malé |
| Getting there | Speedboat, about 90 minutes |
| Under water | Miyaru Kandu, Fotteyo, Alimatha; sharks all year |
| On land | Fulidhoo and other small local islands |
| Suits | Divers, a quiet stay |
Where it is
Vaavu lies just south of South Malé, about 40 miles from the capital. It takes in the Felidhu atoll and the Vattaru reef, and the easternmost point of the Maldives is on its rim. It is the least populated atoll in the country.
Getting there
The speedboat from Malé takes about 90 minutes. Scheduled speedboats also run between the airport, Malé and the local island of Fulidhoo, and ferries and excursion boats link the islands within the atoll.
Under water
Vaavu is known for channel diving, with sharks in the currents throughout the year. Miyaru Kandu, the shark channel, has been protected since 1995. Fotteyo is often named among the best dive sites in the country, with swim-throughs, small caves and overhangs. Alimatha is a shallow night dive, known for nurse sharks.
Spinner and bottlenose dolphins are regularly seen around the atoll.
On land
Fulidhoo is a local island, where Maldivians live. It is small enough to walk from end to end in half an hour, with sandbanks a short boat ride away.
Who it suits
A stay here suits divers above all, with Miyaru Kandu, Fotteyo and Alimatha, and anyone who wants a quiet atoll about 90 minutes from the airport by speedboat. Our pick of Vaavu’s resorts is below. Tell us who is travelling and what matters most, and we suggest the island that fits.
